Brisbane Roars will face Sydney FC in Wednesday's FFA Cup quarter-finals, with coach Warren Moon revealing that six first-team players are unavailable due to COVID-19.
The Roar has not played since the 1–0 A-League Maine loss to Western United on 11 December due to the postponement due to O'Micron's wrath.
The impact of the virus and isolation requirements mean Moon will be taking on a less-strength squad in NSW for the club's first appearance in the last eight of the FFA Cup at the Netsarta Jubilee Stadium.
"That's enough to fill the team," Moon said.
“We have boys coming out of isolation right now, if not tomorrow, then today or a few days ago who were not available for selection due to protocol and had symptoms and side effects, so they are not 100 per cent in terms of their fitness. Feeling great, so we can't risk them for tomorrow night.
"There will be an opportunity for some of the young boys on the team to come down and get a game.
"It's not ideal but we're not the only team in this situation.
"I know everyone has to put players in a position where they are not comfortable.
"Tomorrow we'll see something similar from our boys."
Wednesday's match is also the first match of the year for the Sky Blues, with Steve Korica's men playing the last in their impressive Boxing Day win over MacArthur.
Ryan Grant, who himself has struggled with the after-effects of the coronavirus and the disease, said Sydney players were itching to be back in the park as they continue their quest for a second FFA Cup title.
"It's obviously been a while since we've got a chance to play and I feel like training as a full squad, but everybody's excited, everybody's been training for the last few days," Soccros Fullback said.
"We have a whole squad ready to go.
"Everyone is just excited to be around and meeting each other again.
"Obviously a very important game that adds to the excitement."